This unique book provides the optics designer and user with the latest advances on materials used as optical elements in systems and devices—in one convenient volume. Presenting fundamental performance requirements, basic characteristics, principles of fabrication, possibilities for new or modified optical materials, and key characterization data, this outstanding source facilitates optical materials selection and application. Comprehensive and thorough, this reference offers a broad review of old and new optical materials such as glasses, crystalline materials, plastics, and coatings... contains specific optical and characterization information useful for preliminary calculations ... and explains processes used to manufacture optical materials, giving insight into possible modifications of materials caused by process variations. Plus, this practical text includes a glossary of terms for a basic understanding, numerous illustrations for a clear perspective, and references for easy access to related material. This single-source volume is ideal for optical system/device designers and developers; design and development engineers; materials engineers; physical measurements engineers; test engineers, optics designers, and optics engineers; professional seminars; and undergraduate- and graduate-level students in optical and materials sciences courses.

This volume represents the most complete, up-to-date compilation of wavelengths of lasers in all media. Divided by type - solid, liquid, and gas - and listed in order of increasing wavelength, Handbook of Laser Wavelengths includes: crystalline paramagnetic ion lasers glass lasers color center lasers semiconductor lasers polymer lasers liquid and solid-state dye lasers rare earth liquid lasers neutral atom, ion, and molecular gas lasers extreme ultraviolet and soft X-ray lasers free electron lasers nuclear-pumped lasers lasers in nature lasers without inversion Brief descriptions of each type of laser are presented, followed by tables listing the laser wavelength, lasing element or medium, host, transition, and primary literature citations. A special section on commercial lasers is an added featured. Handbook of Laser Wavelengths singularly serves as the essential reference for scientists and engineers searching for laser sources for specific applications as well as a survey of the developments that have occurred since the advent of the laser.

Biological Events Probed by Ultrafast Laser Spectroscopy summarizes the progress in the experimental and theoretical understanding of primary phenomena occurring in biology on a picoseconds and nanosecond time scale. This book includes basic principles, survey of research results, and thinking of experts in the fields of photosynthesis, vision, hemoglobin, and DNA. This reference is organized into five parts. The primary events in the various areas of biology are reviewed in the first four parts. The last part covers the picosecond and subpicosecond laser techniques. Primary processes in photosynthesis are then discussed. This is followed by chapters on fluorescence and absorption kinetic measurements in higher plants. Subsequent chapters cover kinetic measurements in bacteria photosynthesis, theories of primary energy transfer appropriate to photosynthesis, and multiexcitation processes. Part II examines primary visual processes, including kinetic experimental work on rhodopsin and bacteriorhodopsin, and theoretical concepts on primary events in vision. The third part presents the introductory materials on the kinetic models of hemoglobin and myoglobin. It also discusses the interesting picosecond measurements on these proteins. Part IV focuses on the application of modern ultrafast temporal techniques to the study of DNA and its components, as well as DNA-dye complexes. The concluding part introduces the principles of design and operation of the solid state laser and picoseconds spectroscopy methods. A discussion on pulse generation methods and measurement techniques applicable for measuring primary events in biological systems is provided. This book is useful both for the newbies and experts in the field of ultrafast phenomena. It aims to attract biologists, chemists, physicists, and engineers who are interested in biological processes. It will help readers find all the necessary and relevant material in one presentation.